Serbian legend Novak Djokovic is very close to reaching the quarter-finals of Wimbledon 2023, although he will have to take the court again on Monday against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. Djokovic took a 7-6(6), 7-6(6) lead in Sunday night’s pre-quarterfinals, after which the match was halted due to a curfew.
Also Read: Wimbledon 2023 Draw: Full schedule, Venue, and all you need to know
According to curfew rules, no Wimbledon match can be played after 11 pm. This year many matches had to be suspended for a day due to rain. The second set between Djokovic and Hurkacz also ended at 10:35 p.m., prompting Wimbledon 2023 referee to move the remainder of the match to Monday. Djokovic had no answer to Hurkacz serve in the two sets played on Sunday on Center Court. Hurkacz served at over 200 km/h to break out several times and put pressure on the Serbian giant.
Apart from serving, however, Hurkacz’s game was not enough to trouble Djokovic. Djokovic, seeking his 24th Grand Slam title, showed poise and patience as the Hurkacz made unforced errors in both tie-breaks to lose the set. Djokovic is now just one set away from winning his sixth Wimbledon title.
Also Read: Wimbledon 2023: Carlos Alcaraz and Swiatek top seeds, Djokovic and Sabalenka number two
When is the Wimbledon curfew and what are the rules?
The Wimbledon curfew is at 11pm local time (6pm ET) and has been in place since 2009 when Centre Court’s roof opened, introduced by Merton Council in order to obtain planning permission for the roof. A statement from Wimbledon in 2018 read: “The 11pm curfew is a Planning Condition applied to balance the consideration of the local residents with the scale of an international tennis event that takes place in a residential area.”
Wimbledon 2023 Updated order of play:
CENTRE COURT – 13:30 START (8:30 ET)
1. Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) [13] vs Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [3]
Not before 14:30
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB [2] vs Hubert Hurkacz (POL) [17] TF – 7-6 7-6
3. Ons Jabeur (TUN) [6] v Petra Kvitova (CZE) [9]
4. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [1] v Matteo Berrettini (ITA)
No.1 COURT – 13:00 START (8:00 ET)
1. Daniil Medvedev [3] v Jiri Lehacka (CZE)
2. Ekaterina Alexandrova [21] v Aryna Sabalenka [2]
3. Grigor Dmitrov (BUL) [21] v Holger Rune (DEN) [6]
No.2 COURT – 11:00 START (6:00 ET)
1. Madison Keys (USA) [25] vs Mirra Andreeva
2. Christopher Eubanks (USA) vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [5]
